Athletes return home from Summer Games - everyone was a winner

The Rutherford County contingent of athletes. Photo Contributed.

The 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games concluded June 2 and more than 20 Special Olympics athletes from Rutherford County returned home winners in their respective games. Accompanying the athletes were 19 coaches, chaperones, family and friends from Rutherford County.

"We are proud of the large delegation of athletes, coaches, and chaperones we took to the summer games this past weekend," Alison Dorsey Kennedy, co-coordinator of the Special Olympics of Rutherford County said. "The weekend was fun and inspiring as Rutherford county competed in four different sports. We hope to continue to grow our program and expand the sports opportunities we offer," she said.

Jeffery Littlejohn, who traveled to the Summer Games as a chaperone for Rutherford County, said the Special Olympics are so meaningful to him seeing all the athletes come together to have a great time. He accompanied Kato Porter, who is on the traditional bowling team.

Kato's bowling team, Rutherford Judgement Day, received the gold medal. Other members of the team are Steven Jebraum Camp, Michael Cobb, Erick Grondahl and Jeremy Hart.

"They are just happy to be at the games and meeting other people. They enjoy participating in their various sports. There's not as much of them competing against each other. I love going and watching them doing their best and cheering the athletes on," Littlejohn said.

Other bowling medal winners were the team of Rutherford Jack & Zack Show- Zackery Arrowood, with Unified Partner, Jack Kennedy, who received the bronze.

The Rutherford Robin's Warriors, United Doubles received the silver Medal. They are Darrell McEntire and Jeremy Ricketts, Unified Partner.

The Traditional Team, The Chiefs, received the bronze medal. They are Cassandra Collier, Amber Dysart, Vanessa Ortiz, Hartley Player and Amanda Whiteside.

In the athletics/Track and Field competition, Matthew Lazo received a gold medal for Running Long Jump; and two bronze medals for the 100m dash and the Mini Javelin 300g.

Sarah Lazo received two gold medals for Softball Throw and 50m Dash.

Dana Moltrum received a gold for the 100 walk and a silver for the Mini Javelin 300.

Teri Moltrum received a bronze for the 50m dash and a gold in softball throw. Beth Ware received two gold medals in 50m dash and softball throw.

In Basketball Skills, Kelly Arnold received a gold medal; Peyton Hughes received a silver medal and Isaac Lail received a silver medal.

Tea Joy Crawford competed in Gymnastics and received three gold awards and two silver medals. She received a gold Award for Women's All Around, Women's Balance Beam and Women's Uneven Bars. She took home two silver awards for Women's Floor Exercise and Women's Vault.

Dana Lail, the mom of athlete Isaac Lail said, "I'm so proud of all the wonderful volunteers and counselors, especially Alison Kenney for all the hard work to make this event possible for all the precious athletes."

Isaac Lail said of the Summer Games, "I loved the dancing and playing with my boys (that means Tommy, Erin, and Wren Wilson). I got a medal."

The Rutherford County athletes joined nearly 1,500 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners, individuals without intellectual disabilities, from across the state competing in athletics, basketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming and volleyball at the Summer Games.

As SONC's largest state-level competition, athletes competed at various venues in Raleigh, Cary and Holly Springs.

Volunteers and donations are always accepted for the Special Olympics of Rutherford County. Visit their Facebook page for more information.